A fire has destroyed the main library at Kano State Polytechnic, raising concerns over the loss of academic materials and the impact on students and staff.
The blaze broke out on Tuesday at the institution’s library complex along Yahaya Gusau Road in Kano, destroying books, equipment and institutional records before emergency efforts brought it under control.
According to The Guardian Nigeria, the incident has sparked concern among students, lecturers and education stakeholders, with fears that the loss of research materials and records could affect teaching and academic work at the school.
The chairman of the National Library Staff Union in Kano State, Nazir Muhammad, described the incident as a major setback for academic development and knowledge preservation. He said the library housed vital resources used by students, lecturers and researchers.
Witnesses said thick smoke spread across the campus during the incident, while staff and residents attempted to salvage materials from the building. Authorities have not yet confirmed the full extent of the damage or the cause of the fire.
The union appealed to the Kano State Government, education agencies and donor groups to support rebuilding efforts. It also called for stronger fire safety measures in public schools, citing repeated fire incidents at the institution in recent years.
The Guardian reported that investigations are expected to begin to determine what caused the outbreak.
